Cream or Soap? Why?

[APBT]

Hello,
First of all, sorry if this has been asked to death or if this is in the wrong area. I was wondering which you primarily use. Whether soaps, creams, 50/50 or other? And, most importantly, why?

I'll start. I primarily use soaps. I have a few creams and will often use KMF to bolster a poor lather from a soap (like the first time I used william's). Occasionally, I will use straight cream but only very occasionally.
As to why... A few reasons. First, it's somehow more gratifying for me (a newbie) to take a brush and a solid puck and produce a rich, creamy lather. To a recent convert like me, it seems alchemic. Another reason is that soaps tend to last longer. By that I mean that if properly stored I can keep a puck for years (and years) without it "going bad."

And, if it's not too much to ask, for those of you who use both...What makes you decide which to use on a given day? Whimsy? Aroma? Skin's condition?

I would REALLY love some thoughts on this.

Thank you as always,

Kevin

 

[Badger Bill]

Hi Kevin,

Good question. I'm sure it's been asked before but who cares!

I'd say I use a mix, with a slight preference to creams. It's not that I don't like soaps as much.... it's just that I have built up more creams than soaps so when I'm thinking about what I want to use on any given day there is a higher probability it will happen to end up being a cream (by sheer numbers). Why do I have more creams? I don't really know. Maybe it's because I've found creams that I LOVE the scent of and so I buy them again and again, and how many creams/soaps can I really justify having anyway? I definitely hear you about soaps lasting longer... that's definitely true in my experience too. I do find that on days when I am slightly rushed I reach for a cream for sure, because they are easier for me to lather quickly and properly. But on a day when I have all the time I want..... how do I choose? I'd say it's based 95% or more on what scent I am in the mood for, with little regard to whether it's a soap or cream. Now, on a day with a particularly aggressive razor or some irritation from the previous shave I'll definitely reach for a cream that gives me extra protection (for me, that's Proraso Red).

- Badger Bill

 

[Senshi]

Hey Kevin,

I have many soaps, and only two creams. I am predominantly a soap user. I think part of the reason is that I started with soaps and I know ecactly how much water I need, how many swirls, how much pressure and what brushes work best with my soaps. Creams to me are kind of an oddball. I know 'almond' sized is the standard but sometimes my cream based lather doesn't come as easily or as bountiful as my soaps. I know when to stop swirling with my soaps because I can see when the brush has taken on enough product. With creams I squeeze out a little, and don't have an idea until the end of the lather building. I also like the concept of building from a soap and I think that a puck of soap lasts longer than a tube of cream.


Just my 円2

 

[Trek2100]

Since I started shaving with a DE razor a few months ago I have been using a soap (Usually Col. Conk with glycerin) mixed with a small amount of cream (TOBS) and lathering in a bowl. It always makes a really rich and luxurious lather. Sometimes I change the soap and/or the cream. Always with great results. Two days ago I tried using CO Bigelow from B&BW by itself, still lathering in a bowl. Another beautiful lather. There is no rhyme nor reason as to what I choose to use, if there is one perhaps its aroma. I've even mixed fragrances. That's part of the fun. The soaps I've used with various creams are Col. Conk, Crabtree & Evelyn Sandalwood and deluxe Shave soap by VDH. I've always had great results with every combination of soap and cream that I have. I have a number of different soaps and creams that I have not tried yet. Some soaps are more difficult to get a good lather. Williams comes to mind that some folks have difficulty with although I've heard that 3 drops of glycerin makes a huge difference. I would suggest improving your technique and experimenting. There are a number of good videos on youtube showing how to create a good lather using a bowl and face lathering. Check out some of the "Instructional Videos" on shavenation.com

 

[Kotton]

I usually use soaps because they offer more glide and slickness.

 

[evnpar]

I enjoy using a variety of products, and trying something new is part of the fun. I probably have more soaps than creams, because there is such a plethora of artisan soap makers introducing new and interesting products all the time. One of my favorite soaps, Barrister & Mann, recently emailed me with information about three new soaps, for example. Valobra just came out with four new soaps. Although Al's frequently introduces new and interesting creams, there are few others. There are plenty of creams available, if you want to stick with rose, lavender, sandalwood, and lime scents, but if you want something new and interesting, it's pretty much soaps. (I've recently been blown away by Petal Pusher Fancies and Synergy soaps, for example.) In terms of performance, I find my quality creams produce just as well as my quality soaps, but usually just aren't as much fun.

 

[N1CK]

I started with creams and used them for a while before trying soaps. More than anything I find using soaps more gratifying than creams.

 

[BigKev77]

I started with creams and just recently switched to soaps almost exclusively. I just find soaps interesting. I got great shaves from the creams I had but for some reason I just get more satisfaction when lathering a soap.

 

[codecheck]

This is funny. I have been wet shaving for around 50 years and I have always used cream out of a tube until I found you guys about a year a go. Now I am more of a soap guy. Go figure.

 

[gulfbravo]

I like soap just a lil better, seems to glide better for me

 

[salisburyyates]

With creams I always overuse, and since the lather in most cases is applied more quickly, I don't get to exfoliate as much with the brush. Soaps allow me a more tactile build-up of product with more accurate feedback from the puck - and I always use less soap than cream.

 

[KipNoxzema]

For me, it's all about lubrication and it doesn't matter the delivery method. I use a Bay Rum and Lime handmade soap; brushless. It provides the lubrication, works well, and leaves a great scent. No need for AS. For creams, the trusty Noxzema comes through every time.

 

[OneBadBadger]

For me, it just depends on the mood I'm in. If I don't feel like working much I use cream. Since I face lather. If my face was irritated the day before and I don't want to do any more harm. I'll use a cream so I don't work it as much. I think generally though. Its hard to beat the slickness of an actual soap.

 

[es99]

Depends on the mood but like others I find soaps to be slicker and more protective. I also think there's a better selection/variety of great soaps out there. The cream universe seems to be much smaller.

 

[NSmalls]

Soaps give me better results.

 

[Prof. Moriarty]

I have both. Normally I choose which to use based on mood.

 

[CleanSweep]

I prefer shaving cream in a tube due to the convenience and ease of transport when traveling and the ease of storage in my bathroom. I like soaps too, but find a quality cream in a tube is my preferred choice when I have one.

 

[Terp61]

Since I got my puck of Mitchell's Wool Fat, my creams have been collecting dust.

 

[mhensley]

I prefer cream. I use soap.

Creams are better to me in every way -- scent, feel, lathering -- but I get a better shave whenever I use soap. Unless I use a LOT of cream. The most common advice for cream is to use about an almond-size amount. To get good results, I have to use a walnut (WITH shell) amount -- and the ones I like cost too much for that.

 

[DrAwkward]

Both at the same time. It is called Superlather. Put some cream on the brush and soap on my face (usually with a shave stick). Face lather. Voila: superlather.